Download A Guide to Overuse Knee Injuries

Sports Medicine
A Guide to Overuse
Knee Injuries
We’re a national leader in the care and management of knee injuries.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital Sports Medicine understands the specialized health care needs of
serious athletes, age 18 and under.
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Understanding Chronic Knee Injuries in Adolescent Athletes
For people under the age of 25, sports and recreational activities are the most common cause of knee injuries.
Children and adolescent athletes have different injury patterns than adults and require special considerations
for evaluation and treatment. For instance, children and adolescents have open growth plates that predispose
them to unique injuries.
Chronic and overuse injuries make up about half of the sports-related injuries that are seen in sports medicine
clinics in the United States. In contrast to acute injuries, which result from a specific traumatic event, chronic
knee injuries develop gradually over time. In children and adolescents, chronic knee injuries are commonly
related to repetitive, sub-maximal loading of tissues and repeated trauma, but may also be related to growthrelated disorders.
Health care professionals have identified factors, such as improper exercise technique and training errors,
inadequate rest, faulty movement patterns, muscle imbalances and the increased prevalence of sport
specialization, as common causes of overuse injury. Fortunately, most of these factors are modifiable, which
means that many of these conditions may be prevented through education of coaches and parents, properly
designed training programs, and participating in multiple sports instead of focusing on just one.
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Anatomy of the Knee
The knee is a complex joint comprised of bones, cartilage, ligaments and muscles. All of these structures work
together to provide stability and mobility.
Bones
The knee joint is made up of four bones – the femur (thighbone), the tibia and fibula (lower leg bones) and
the patella (kneecap). The tibia and the femur articulate (fit together) at the knee joint line. The patella is
enveloped by the tendon of the quadriceps (thigh) muscle and moves within the groove of the bottom of the
thighbone. This allows the quadriceps muscles to straighten the knee more easily. The top of the fibula meets
outside the tibia, below the joint line.
Cartilage
There are two half-moon-shaped cartilage structures between the tibia and femur called the medial and lateral
meniscus. The menisci provide stabilization, cushioning and friction reduction at the knee joint.
Ligaments
The major stabilizing ligaments of the knee include the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments (ACL & PCL)
and the medial and lateral collateral ligaments (MCL & LCL). The ACL attaches the front of the tibia to the
femur. The PCL attaches the back of the tibia to the femur. The ACL and PCL help prevent the knee from
twisting. The MCL attaches the femur to the tibia on the inside of the knee. The LCL attaches the femur to the
fibula on the outside of the knee. The MCL and LCL provide support from side-to-side and rotational forces.
Muscles
There are several groups of muscles that act on the knee joint and work together in a very complex manner.
The quadriceps (thigh) muscles are primarily responsible for straightening the knee. The quadriceps muscles
come together to form the patellar tendon that connects on the front of the tibia. The hamstring muscles and
calf muscles are primarily responsible for bending the knee.
About Chronic Knee Injuries
Patellar Tendonitis (Jumpers Knee)
Patellar tendonitis involves pain and inflammation of the patellar tendon, located in the front of the knee.
It connects the quadriceps muscle and patella (kneecap) to the tibia. Overuse of the quadriceps muscle and
the patellar tendon cause this injury. A sudden increase in the amount or intensity of activity can also lead to
patellar tendonitis. Occasionally, a direct blow to the knee may cause this injury.
Symptoms of Patellar Tendonitis
The tendon may be tender, swollen, warm and/or red. Tenderness may also be noted at the lower pole of the
patella (kneecap) or where it inserts at the tibia. Pain is most often felt during running and jumping, while
standing from a seated position, or when bending the knee completely (squatting or kneeling).
Expected Outcome
A combination of activity modification, ice and anti-inflammatory medicine usually leads to a rapid
improvement of symptoms. The treatment plan should also include stretching and strengthening of the muscles
of the lower extremity, along with core strengthening. A brace or strap may sometimes be helpful, as well.
Osgood Schlatter Disease (OSD)
OSD is inflammation of the tibial tubercle growth plate, which is the site of attachment of the patellar tendon
in the front of the knee. In general, growth plates are more susceptible to injury than other parts of the body
because they are softer and weaker than the rest of the bone. A rapid increase in physical activity, decreased
strength and poor flexibility are all risk factors for this problem. Adolescents are prone to OSD because they
can grow quickly in a short amount of time and that leads to muscle tightness and increased stress on the
growth plate. Boys age 11-16 are at the greatest risk for OSD, but this condition is being seen with increasing
frequency in girls, as well.
Symptoms of OSD
A tender, sometimes swollen bump below the knee indicates OSD. Running, jumping, squatting, kneeling
and climbing stairs typically aggravate the pain.
Expected Outcome
This condition is temporary and typically goes away once this growth plate closes in mid-late adolescence.
Mild cases may require only slight modification of activity. Decreasing activities (jumping, deep knee bends,
weight lifting) that put stress on the injured area is important for recovery. Icing after activity and taking
anti-inflammatory medicine as needed may be helpful. The treatment plan should also include stretching
and strengthening of the muscles of the lower extremity, along with core strengthening. A brace or strap may
sometimes be needed. More severe cases may require complete cessation of activity, along with a brief period
of immobilization and formal rehabilitation.
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Sinding-Larsen-Johansson Syndrome (SLJ)
Similar to OSD, Sinding-Larsen-Johansson syndrome is an over-use injury that is caused by inflammation at
a growth plate in the front of the knee. With SLJ, however, the growth plate involved is located at the lower
part of the patella. This condition is typically seen in pre-adolescence or early adolescence before the growth
spurt occurs. Risk factors are similar to those discussed for patellar tendonitis and OSD.
Symptoms of SLJ Syndrome
The classic finding in SLJ is tenderness and swelling at the bottom of the patella. Pain is usually noted during
or after activities, such as running, jumping, squatting or climbing stairs.
Expected Outcome
Treatment is similar to that discussed with OSD, above.
Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)
Osteochondritis dissecans occurs when a segment of bone is damaged and leads to injury in overlying
cartilage, which can result in separation of the injured tissues from the rest of the bone. The exact cause for
this injury is unknown, but it is thought that it may result from a direct force to the joint (acute injury),
overuse (repetitive stress), a decrease in blood supply and cartilage, or an abnormal bone formation.
Symptoms of Osteochondritis Dissecans
Pain is often described as vague and deep inside the knee. Pain may come and go over time with this injury,
but is typically worse during periods of heavy impact activity. Swelling, locking, catching and giving way
may occur and are usually indicative of more severe disease. Occasionally, this condition does not produce
symptoms and is diagnosed only when an X-ray is taken for another problem.
Expected Outcomes
Treatment depends on the age of the child and the stability of the OCD lesion. Children with stable, lowgrade injuries, whose growth plates are still open, may heal with just a period of prolonged rest from impact
activities (typically 6-12 months). A period of immobilization in a brace or cast may be necessary in some
cases. In those with unstable lesions or who are skeletally mature, surgery is often required.
Patellofemoral Syndrome (PFS)
Patellofemoral syndrome describes an irritation of the patella as it moves within the groove of the femur. For
a variety of reasons, the patella can move slightly off-track during movement of the knee, causing pain. In
addition to overuse, risk factors include weakness in the lower leg and core muscles, how the patellar sits in
the groove (too far to the side, too high, too low), poorly aligned knees (knock knees) and flat feet.
Symptoms of PFS
Pain is usually described as achy, but may also be sharp. Pain is most often reported on the inside or outside of
the patella or sometimes all across the front of the knee. It is typically worst with running, jumping, squatting,
sitting for long periods of time, arising from a sitting position and stair climbing.
Expected Outcome
Symptoms often wax and wane over a period of years and are usually worse during periods of heavy activity.
Improvement is typically noted with activity modification, ice, anti-inflammatory medicine and rehabilitation
exercises. Some cases may require a knee brace called a patellar stabilizer brace that helps keep the patella
seated in the groove of the femur. Surgery is rarely needed for cases that do not respond to conservative
therapy.
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General Treatment Recommendations for Knee Injuries
Knee Injury Prevention
Proper conditioning, including a complete warm up that incorporates dynamic (moving) stretching, can help
decrease the risk of knee injuries. In addition, having equal strength and flexibility in the front and back of
the leg is important. The best time to work on flexibility is after a workout. Static (still) stretches should be
held for at least 30 seconds. Always increase workout demands, including sets, reps, weight, time and distance
gradually to allow the body to adjust to new stresses placed on it. Finally, proper technique and form in
running, jumping, landing, cutting and tackling should be taught at practices. The right equipment, such as
appropriate length of cleats for the playing surface, should be used.
Treatment Considerations
Ice and anti-inflammatory medication can help reduce both swelling and pain. Cold packs should be applied
for 10-15 minutes every 2-3 hours. Crutches may be recommended if an athlete is unable to walk without
a limp. Sometimes braces may be used to stabilize the knee. Home exercises to work on range-of-motion,
stretching and strengthening may be prescribed after evaluation by an athletic trainer, physician or other
medical professional, or the athlete may be referred for formal rehabilitation. Medication
Any medication should be taken under the direction of a physician. Most suggest non-steroidal, antiinflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, or other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen.
Ibuprofen should not be taken for seven days before surgery. If any bleeding, stomach upset or signs of allergic
reaction occur, contact a physician.
Resources
1. Gage BE, McIlvain NM, Collins CL, Fields SK, Comstock RD. Epidemiology of 6.6 million knee injuries
presenting to United States emergency departments from 1999 through 2008. Academic Emergency Medicine.
2012;19:378-385.
2. Caine D, Caine C, Maffulli N. Incidence and distribution of pediatric sport-related injuries. Clin J of Sport
Med. 2006;16(6):500-513.
3. Majewski M, Susanne H, Klaus S. Epidemiology of athletic knee injuries: A 10-year study. The Knee.
2006;13:184-188.
4. Prentice, WE. Arnheim’s Principles of Athletic Training: A Competency-Based Approach – 12th ed. New
York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2006: 601-606.
5. Yu B, McClure SB, Onate JA, Guskiewicz KM, Kirkendall DT, Garrett WE (2005) Age and gender effects
on lower extremity kinematics of youth soccer players in a stop-jump task. Am J Sports Med 33:1356–1364
6. Valovich McLeod TC, Decoster LC, Loud KJ, Mitchell LJ, et al. National athletic trainers’ association
position statement: Prevention of pediatric overuse injuries. Journal of Athletic Training. 2011;46(2):206-220.
7. McCambridge TM, Stricker PR. Strength Training by Children and Adolescents. Pediatrics. 2008;121:835840.
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visit NationwideChildrens.org/Sports-Medicine-Locations.
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